Infection: An Anthology of Short Stories

Rachel is a writer of romantic fiction ranging from rural to suspense. She is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and her novel, Almost a Princess, won the RWA's 2018 Emerald Award for best unpublished romance manuscript. Rachel strives to keep the writing community alive in Townsville as the facilitator of the TWPC's Popular Fiction writers group. When she isn't writing, Rachel enjoys indulging in exercise, travel, and all things Disney

Rachel is the author of Malady takes the Castle, an historical romance

Shaylee Bartlett is first and foremost a poet but enjoys writing short fiction and hopes to one day complete a novel. Most of Shaylee’s work falls into the romance genre. In between writing and her day job at Red Rooster, Shaylee can be found reading the likes of Markus Zusak, Jodi Picoult, David Levithan and E. Lockhart. The raw nature and vulnerability of her work is something Shaylee prides herself on as it is her most honest form of self-expression.

Shaylee is the author of Because of You, an ode to depression.

Roanne Boldery has worked as a journalist in print, radio and television for almost twenty years in Queensland and the ACT, mostly as a crime and court reporter. She has also worked in politics for MPs and government. The 35-year old now lives in North Queensland with her husband and two daughters. She is inspired by real-life stories.

Roanne is the author of Eve's Affliction, a gripping tale of how rage infects a family.

Joelle Cronin is an avid speculative fiction lover who enjoys creating dystopian worlds filled with monsters and magic. So far, she has contributed to three separate self-published anthologies (The Typhon Expanse, Omens and Infection) but is also working on her first novel. When she’s not working as a hospital pharmacist, Joelle loves doing jigsaw puzzles, being bossed around by her puppy and eating chocolate.

Joelle is the author of The Dancing Queen, an urban fantasy in a future where control is paramount.

Chloe Jacobson is a literary, romance, and fantasy fiction author. Her dreamer’s pursuit of happiness has made her curious to write about greyer choices and darker emotions entangled with experiences. Chloe has always been an avid reader and unearthed her passion for writing a year ago when she joined the TWPC. When Chloe isn’t writing, she enjoys dancing with her children, drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring nature.

Chloe is the author of Skin of Lies, an urban fantasy exploring how lies can infect a relationship.

Chris Picone joined the TWPC as a member of the Speculative Fiction group—the Centre’s divergent thinkers. From there, Chris established Emerge, a writing group for secondary school students, and holds workshops during the holidays to enhance the students’ skills. Chris is also the facilitator of on exciting new group, Townsville Scriptwriters, and works with writers of television, film and theatre scripts. Having embarked on a career as an English teacher, Chris is a keen writer himself. His preferred form is speculative fiction, however, Chris can turn his hand to a variety of genres.

Chris is the author of Saint George, a story centred around the physical and psychological struggle surrounding the timeless question 'Is there a God?'

Peter R Smith is a bibliophile, gamer and writer. His first two loves are reading and writing, right after his wife and children. Married with three children, one granddaughter, and three furry kids, Peter lives with his amused wife of 23 years in North Queensland dodging cyclones, floods, and occasional wildlife. His stories range from starship captains hunting criminal megalomaniacs, to the young man who walks with angels. From the Shadows is his latest work.

Jill Staunton grew up on a rural Queensland cattle station and this upbringing shaped her love of the Australian Outback and determined the genres she chose to write in – Outback fiction and Australian historical romance. Her first novel, Reiver’s Moon, published in 2018 by Boolarong Press, is set between Townsville and Hughenden and centres around a gang of reivers or cattle thieves. It is part rural romance, part crime and all Australiana. Jill also has four published short stories, a collection of poetry (mostly protest poetry) and a few children’s stories in her writing folio.

Siarra Webber is an aspiring writer who enjoys experimenting with her literacy abilities. She has always had a passion for reading and enjoys a vast range of genres from fantasy to thrillers. Her favourite book is The Book Thief, which she had read dozens of times. Siarra enjoys collecting books from every country she travels to.

Deeanna West is a speculative fiction author who focuses on fantasy. If a book has magic, strange and amazing creatures or a world completely different to our own then she’s sold. When not holed up writing, she can be found playing games on the Xbox or out riding her horse.